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Houston, with its subtropical climate, is home to many pests. This article will cover the top three most prolific and possibly annoying pests we have here in Houston.

1. ANTS

There are many species of ants and it usually involves correct identification to be able to eliminate these pests. Some ants prefer proteins, some prefer fats and their diets and tastes change. If you use a spray ant poison on a pharaoh ant instead of eliminating them you will cause them to bud (spread to different locations.)

Treating for ants

1. Again sanitation is an important key in preventing ant infestations.
2. Trim back all trees and bushes away from the house. Limbs touching the house can become an ant highway.
3. Spread granules in your yard and around the foundation to keep them from entering.
4. Once they are inside be sure to correctly identify the ant you are dealing with so you will know how to properly eliminate them. Read more on correctly identifying ants.

2. COCKROACHES

Only a few of the thousands of species of cockroaches are regular pests,  but since they carry diseases and multiply quickly, we don’t want them in our homes. Cockroaches transmit pathogens as they crawl over human food and dishes etc. They shed skin, egg cases and feces and can produce asthma or allergic reactions. The German cockroach is smaller and light brown in color. They are difficult to get rid of and usually require the help of a professional to totally eliminate the population. They feed on everything we feed on. They prefer dark corners and hide in cracks and crevices.

How to eliminate cockroaches

1. Remove food sources.
2. Sanitation is most important.
3. Plug small holes and cracks and crevices.
4. Move piles or firewood, stones, leaves, mulch and other debris from around the foundation.
5. You can place granular baits outside to eliminate outdoor. You can use sticky traps indoors.

3. RODENTS

The Norway rat, roof rat and house mouse can cause extensive damage, and are carriers of diseasessuch as plague, hantavirus, distemper, leptospirosis, typhus and other transmittable diseases. These rodents are sneaky. You may never actually see one but they are obvious with the signs they leave behind. You may notice their droppings, or gnawed wood around doors and windows.

Their feces and urine contaminate food exposing your family to health hazards and potential damage to your home . Where there is one there may be many, so it is best to reduce and eliminate the problem as quickly as possible.

How to get rid of rodents

1. Exclusion: Eliminate all entry points and openings. They can slip through very small openings. Read tips from our technicians on rodent proofing your home.
2. Sanitation:  Clean up any food and water source and sanitation. Store all grain in metal containers. If you store your trash cans in the garage make sure they are metal containers.
3. Trapping: Trapping is one of the best ways to eliminate rodents but the usually work well in low rodent populations.
4. Baiting: Baiting with rodenticide is effective but must be done in tamper proof bait stations to eliminate the risk or non-targeted poisoning such as children and pets.